Military

Department Of Defense Won't Ban Mobile Devices In The Pentagon

After months of review, the agency says people can still use their devices in common areas, but they won't be able to take them into secure areas.

Department Of Defense Won't Ban Mobile Devices In The Pentagon
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After months of review, the Department of Defense says it will continue to allow people to use their mobile devices — like cellphones, smart watches and laptops — inside the Pentagon. But they won't be able to take them everywhere. 

The policy issued Tuesday applies to all DOD and Office of the Secretary of Defense staff, "military personnel, civilian employees, contractors, and visitors in the Pentagon." 

People can use their devices in common areas, but if they need to enter a secure area, they'll have to put them in a storage box outside the secure space.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reportedly considered banning mobile devices in the Pentagon earlier this year after a fitness app raised security concerns for some remote military forces. 

In January, it was discovered that some military personnel using the fitness app Strava were publicly broadcasting their exercise locations. Some of those locations included unconfirmed U.S. bases. 

While the Pentagon's mobile device policy doesn't ban phones, ABC News reports that might not matter much, since there isn't reception in most of the building anyway.